This large (and not inexpensive) volume represents decades of accumulated ragtime study by Jasen and many other historians, collected into one place. Included in here are extensive descriptions, biographies, lists of sheet music and sources, lists of recordings from cylinders to CDs, and all manner of things ragtime. Nice to have as a central reference source. Includes some updates and corrections from early publications as well.

A study of the one of the unavoidable parents and later stepchildren of ragtime, the coon song, and both the opportunities it provided along with the stigma attached to the genre and the performers of it, both black and white. This book covers the history of the songs and singers from minstrel days to vaudeville and the early blues singers, not pulling any punches on issues like segregation and exploitation of blacks for entertainment and profit. Many original sources of the era are cited and used as examples of ragtime era perceptions, interesting from an historical perspective.

A very complete overview of how Ragtime music developed in this country, and much of the semantics and thinking behind the music publishing business. Organized geographically and very logically with a detailed appendix section listing 2002 rags, it is certain to become the new indispensable reference for ragtime musicians and scholars. Look for many myths to be exposed and a number of surprising revelations concerning some publishers and composers. True to the title, it has little information on rags from outside the United States. Still, it is a valuable resource when used in conjunction with Jasen and Tichenor's Rags and Ragtime.

This book contains a well-organized and complete categorical summary of composers, styles, and other aspects of ragtime. However, since Jasen and Tichenor set out to focus primarily on piano ragtime and its direct descendants, there is little information about any songs of the ragtime era. In keeping with their definition of what constitutes piano ragtime, it also omits some popular instrumental pieces of the ragtime era that are not full-fledged rags. The listings for the major composers are complete, with some biography, analysis and recordings that may be referenced, albeit not updated for currently available CDs. It is nonetheless a valuable "must-have" reference.

A detailed history of black songwriters from vaudeville and early Broadway shows to the stars of the 1930s. The stories focus as much on the talent as the struggle to have that talent recognized. Includes insight on the origination of popular song, the blues and stride piano, with many interesting and concise biographies. There are plenty of surprises within about various personalities and a close association with the stage work done by each.

This is a good source for mainstream information about composers, and great anecdotes about music in the early 1900s, but is not as well organized as a reference for composers or songs. Indexing is accomplished by composer and/or publisher and show titles, rather than by tune name. This is necessary because if all the tunes were referenced in the index it would look more like a catalog than a reference source. Includes great insight into the growth of the music industry from 1890 through the depression. There are biographies throughout for publishers, composers, and musicians, many of which played all three roles at various times. For a more detailed listing of popular songs, invest in the three volume Lissauer's Encyclopedia of Popular Song in American 1888 to the Present.

An interesting look at the hotbed of early traditional and swing jazz, the author spends less time looking at the music and more at the social lifestyle that went along with it. An informative book that echoes much of the history and cultural changes our country went through entering the "Roaring Twenties," and a precursor of what was to come. Chicago is particularly interesting because so many jazz musicians from Oliver and Armstrong to Beiderbecke migrated there, largely to soak in the influences of each other. How it affected the moral and social attitudes of the city explains quite a bit about the character of Chicago as a whole in the 1920s.

This was long considered the authoritative book on ragtime and old-time music. Although much more accurate and revealing information has been compiled by many authors since its original printing in 1950, this book is still worth reading (or re-reading). Much of the story of ragtime is told in just that format; as a story. There are some useful appendices for collectors of ragtime records and piano rolls. The third and fourth editions also contain a few interesting rag transcriptions. It has been re-released in a paperback version available on Amazon, but there has otherwise been no update since the fourth edition in 1971. Original copies of all four original editions are usually available through a title search at Amazon.com, or www.ABEBooks.com, but be prepared to PAY!

The definitive and most detailed book on Joplin ever presented. Looks not just at the composer, but at some of the previously unsolved mysteries about him, what drove him, and the culture and stigmas surrounding black composers and musicians in general. This is the most scholarly and detailed look at the life of ragtime's most celebrated but sometimes misunderstood black composer. There is an updated version in the works, possibly to be published in 2016.

A thorough and intimate look at a classic ragtime composer who did not claim music to be his profession, yet created some of the most beautiful and complex instrumental rags ever written, right up until his death. Compiled with help from his daughter Patricia, this volume is an engaging read, focusing more on the man than the music, but at the same time informing the reader of the passion that went into his compositions. A must-have for your ragtime library.

A detailed scholarly study of origins, composition, and performance of ragtime, with emphasis on the school of New York ragtime. Most easily found in the library, or by request of the author.

This is a new release of the original 1980 publication, which is not what some may expect to be a simple sterile analytical look at the music and its interaction with American culture, rather delving deeply into influences of and by the music with specific examples. For those who are interested in more than simply the music, this is an essential component of your library.

A wide scoping view of Ragtime and the requisite lifestyle during the era, particularly in the years following the era, with very frank interviews of traditional jazz and ragtime artists. A great resource for Eubie Blake fans. Note that if you click the cover you can by a recently updated version of the text. The Amazon link will guide you to an earlier but less expensive edition. Both are good reading.

The first comprehensive biography on America's second most popular march composer who commissioned perhaps the most spectacular covers of the 1900s to 1920s, and ended up thriving on only two to three releases a year, such was the allure of his descriptive marches and the artwork wrapped around them. Side looks at the music publishing business, of which Paull was a big part of, a guide to collectors of his music, and comprehensive appendices of music and recordings. Nearly 400 pages, with many of them full-page representations of colorful cover art.

Excellent source for general information, and especially for younger readers. Found in many school libraries. However, given the new information found by Ed Berlin, there are a number of inaccuracies.

A nicely detailed look at Scott Joplin's life, including peripheral information on the ragtime life as he encountered it. Copies are sometimes available through a title search at Amazon.com (click the cover) or www.ABEBooks.com.

The story of an often overlooked figure of early ragtime that was also a virtuoso classical player who played over 8,000 concerts during his lifetime, this book also follows the development of ragtime music, and the challenges faced by Negro artists of the late 19th century.

Looks at an aspect of ragtime largely glossed over by some other books, and the authoritative story about the "inventory of jazz and stomps." accumulated mostly through direct interviews. This updated edition includes some corrections or contradictions to the original, which while not entirely accurate was nonetheless an important document of Morton's life told largely by Morton. The accompanying voice recordings on Circle records are difficult to locate, but a few cuts are still floating around on CD.

Lots of stories about entertainers that date back to Ragtime, including a bit of Jolie joshing. After all, Mr. Burns (aka Nathan Birnbaum) was around and performing in the 1910s. Copies of this and other George Burns titles are usually available through an author or title search at Amazon.com (click the cover) or www.ABEBooks.com.

Poignant and a worthwhile read. Includes stories about performing during the ragtime era and vaudeville in the 1910s and 1920s. Even more Jolie jokes. (For the uninitiated, Jolie refers to the legendary Al Jolson). Copies of this and other George Burns titles are usually available through an author or title search at Amazon.com (click the cover) or www.ABEBooks.com.

** May be Out of Print (OOP), but it might be possible to find this title in libraries or used bookstores, or through the amazon.com or abebooks.com Used Books networks searching on Book Title or a topic such as Ragtime. Be warned that in many cases you will pay a premium for these now collectible books. Many may be more easily found in the public library for free, but not for keeps.